Fence-post



P. GEARY.

FENCE Pos1'.

(No Model.)

Patented Oct. 16, 1888.

nja.

WITNESSES #zi/W@ N, Pneus, mmmhugnpm wmingum nv c:A

Umts@ STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PETER GEARY, OF STERLING, OHIO.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 391,363, dated October 16, 1338- Application filed February 14, 1888. Serial No. 263.953.

To all whom, it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, PETER GEARY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Sterling, in the county of Vayne and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in FencePosts, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention pertains to certain new and useful improvements in fence-posts, having for its obj ect the production of a new andimproved form of posts embodying advantages in points of simplicity, durability, general efficiency, and expensiveness.

The invention consists, briefly, in the formation of a hollow post made of clay, said post having grooves formed therein for securing, by means of a suitable locking-plate, the fence-panels, and to this locking-plate can also be secured wire strands when the same is employed in connection with a wire fence, and when so employed all slack in the wire is readily removed by means of said lockingplate.

The invention comprises the peculiar construction, combination7 and arrangement of parts, substantially as hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan View thereof. Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-section. Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, and Fig. 5 is a dctail view.

Referring to the drawings, A designates my improved fence-post,which I preferably make of clay, the same being burned and formed either square, round, or octagonal shape, according as may be desired. In the center of the body portion of this post is formed a vertical opening, a, of any desired shape, extending from end to end of the post, so as to reduce the weight thereof to a minimum. In practice tlle endsv of this opening a are preferably fitted with blocks or plugs a a', so as to pre` vent water or dirt from lodging in said opening. By this means a post is produced thatis extremely light in Weight and embodying a (No model.)

While the clay composing this post is in a green state I form in the front surface thereof by suitable means transverse grooves or recesses b b, wherein are disposed horizontal fence-panels B B, as shown.

In the front surface of this post I form a longitudinal dovetail groove or recess, b, eX tending, preferably, the entire length of said post; but, if desired, said groove or recess need only extend to below the lowermost groove or recess, b.

C is a locking-plate having beveled sides and designed to fit within the dovetail groove or recess b', the same being inserted after the fence-panels have been placed in position, thereby rmly securing or locking said panels. By this means the panels are held without the need of any screws, nails, or wire, and if itis desired to remove any of the fence-pan` els-as, for instance, the lower ones to permit of the passage of small animals-the same is readily effected by raising the locking-plate and removing the desired panels.

My invention is also applicable for use in connection with a wire fence, and when thus employed the wire strands D are secured to the outer surface of the lockingplate C by means of staples d d. When, as is always the case with wire fences, the wire slacks, such slack can be readily removed or obviated by slightly raising the locking-plate, so as to draw tight said wire strands, said lockingplate being always rmly held in position by reason of its close fit in its dovetail groove or recess.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have produced a fence-post eX- tremely simple in construction, cheap, and durable, and that by means thereof a fence can be readily and easily constructed, and parts removed, when desired, with but little trouble.

I do not confine myself to the use of the blocks a for closing the longitudinal opening in the post, as the same may be formed with closed ends of clay prior to being burned t0 prevent ingress of water.

I claim as my inventionl The hereindesoribedimprovement in fencenosts, consisting of the hollow post of clay, the blocks or plugsinserted in the ends thereof, 5 the front transverse grooves or reeessses, the longitudinal dovetail groove or recess, and

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in 1o presence of two witnesses.

PETER GEARY.

Witnesses: I the looking-plate designed to fit in said dove- JOHN LEE, Jr., tail groove or recess, and to be held thereby, G. W. ROSS.

substantially as shown and described. 

